Nanami's Corner: Ohayo minna, I'm sorry it's been so long between updates, my life is upside down right now. Too much work and not enough play. I'll get chapter 8 up tomorrow or later today, but here is chapter 7 for those of you who've been waiting!
The next day found Usagi helping Mamoru pack up the rest of his belongings. As she was packing she saw little things that remind her of all the time they spent together. A knick-knack here, a photo there, it was getting to be very hard for her. But she had promised Mamoru that she would not cry as she helped pack.
After they finished packing, they headed over to Rei's for the good bye party and spent the afternoon talking about all the fun he was going to have in America and the good times they had shared with him. Even the Three lights stopped by, Taiki and Yaten sitting next to their respective girlfriends.
The only two who seemed not up to their usual selves were Usagi and Seiya. They both seemed really distracted and hardly spoke to anyone unless directly spoken to. But the others seemed to hardly notice this oddity.
Why doesn't he say anything? Usagi wondered to herself. He should be elated Mamoru is leaving. But then again he doesn't know what Mamo-chan said to me last night. Maybe he doesn't notice there is nothing in his way now. Then again, may not like me anymore. Is that why he's being so reclusive?
How can she sit there with that man, Seiya thought. She would be so much happier with me. She looks so dejected. Did he say something to hurt her? I'll kill him!
The conversation flowed around the unhappy pair as the party went on. Usagi and Mamoru were the first to leave; Mamoru using the excuse of getting Usagi a change of clothes for the next morning. She was spending the night so she could leave with him to go to the airport in the morning. Taiki and Ami left shortly thereafter to go see Jessica at the museum before she took off to go back to America. Minako and Yaten stayed behind with Rei and Makoto to help clean and then they all parted for the evening.
Taiki and Ami showed up at the museum just as Jessica was leaving. They helped her load the last of her things into the truck and walked back into the museum.
"I have a piece here that I wanted to give the two of you. I've not had it on display at this showing because I knew I would meet the people in this painting and it was to be theirs and theirs alone."
With that she pulled out a 10x13 painting that was covered. Taiki removed the covering and both he and Ami gasped as they gazed at the painting. It was of the two of them. Taiki was dressed in a deep navy suit and standing next to Ami in a navy dress to match. They were looking into each other's eyes and you could feel the love radiating from the painting. They were standing in front of a large mansion on a bluff and in the background, not to far; you could see a palace of crystal.
"It's beautiful," breathed Ami.
"See, I told ya you would like it," Jessica said. She reached out and grabbed the both of them into a hug. "Come visit me in America sometime, I've a huge cottage near the city. You can stay at my place." The three exchanged address and phone information and separated.
Taiki and Ami wandered through the park on the way back to the boys' apartment. They held hands and watched the sun set on all the happy couples. They talked of the picture, and what Jessica's vision could mean for their future. They parted at the front door and Ami took a cab home.
WARNING: Chapter 8 contains adult content! If you are easily offended or under age, please skip chapter 8. I will recap in chapter 9.